Reading the Detectives discussion

Are you reading a good Golden Age or more modern mystery at the moment, or have you just finished one? Please share your recommendations and reviews!

This is a new thread for 2023. The previous thread has been archived, but you can still refer to it for past discussions:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I have just finished The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith The second book in the series. I enjoyed it a lot , as I like the relationship between the two main characters, but did find it was slightly too long. Maybe I have got too used to these short GA books, but after the short stories we have recently read, it was good to get into a longer book.

I just started Swan for the Money, and will be re-reading from this series in no particular order. I want to re-read her other series, too, the one with an AI who is one of the characters and starts with You’ve Got Murder

I’m enjoying the next Falco, Venus in Copper - luckily my library had the physical book, and Audible has the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Simon Prebble. I switch between the two, and finding the audiobook really works for me, he seems to “get” Davis’s Roman noir vibe, the sarcastic, humorous tone of the books!

Next up, I plan to reread Dissolution by C.J. Sansom; it is one of my favorite historical mystery series, but I’ve never reread it, looking forward to it. Also have the audiobook and library book for that book.

I started the new year with a treat, A Dangerous Business, set in Monterrey California in the 1850's. The mystery is not the main interest and I'm sure the portrayal of prostitution is much too rosy, but I loved the characters and the interaction between Eliza and her customers. A warm and wonderful read.

I have started A World of Curiosities. More warm and wonderful characters but now the mystery is the point. With short sentences.

I'm listening to The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene

I have not had an Audible book and am not too keen on listening to someone else read to me.My Kindle with 8Gb is rather small to accept Audible so what;s the point?
Right now I;m reading Jacqueline Winspear;s ;Maisie Dobbs' series, I began with her last three in the series, set in the early part of WW2 which I enjoyed, I then got Nos 2 to 6 in the series wbd am on No 3, the maisie in thes early books comes across to me as a not very sympathetic, pleasant character so it's a bit of a struggle. I wondwer how she will develop as the series continues1

Current reads:

Something the Cat Dragged In by Charlotte MacLeod Book 4 in the Peter Shandy series.

One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters Book 2 in the Brother Cadfael series.

The Silent Speaker by Rex Stout Book 11 of the Nero Wolfe series.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m enjoying the next Falco, Venus in Copper - luckily my library had the physical book, and Audible has the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Simon Prebble. I switch between the two..."

I was introduced to CJ Sansom’s books last year - I’m listening to the third in the series now. I find Matthew Shardlake an engaging character, and I like how well the historical context is written.

Julie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m enjoying the next Falco, Venus in Copper - luckily my library had the physical book, and Audible has the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Simon Prebble. I sw..."

That’s what drew me in, as well - Sansom really draws you in to the time, any slipped word to a friend or colleague (or family member) could betray you! Henry’s court was such a viper pit, the paranoia, the religious mania, the corruption, what an awful time!

Susan in NC wrote: "Julie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m enjoying the next Falco, Venus in Copper - luckily my library had the physical book, and Audible has the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Simon..."

Oh, absolutely! I thought he also did a great job of writing how surreal it must have felt as people watched the established order being upended.

Finished reading 'The Woodcutter' by Reginald Hill (a standalone) last week, it was as good as his Dalziel/Pascoe series.

The vote for our March group read is currently open - if you haven't voted yet, please take a look and choose which book you want to read.
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Noble wrote: "Finished reading 'The Woodcutter' by Reginald Hill (a standalone) last week, it was as good as his Dalziel/Pascoe series."

I have been re-reading his Joe Sixsmith series, about a black Private Eye in Luton. Light reads (unlike The Woodcutter) but a lot of fun. The series starts with Blood Sympathy.

I finished A World of Curiosities, #18 in the Three Pine series. It is excellent. A podcast, The Book Cougars, suggested that this was more of a stand-alone than other in the series if someone wants to test the books. I agree, though you will miss the development of the characters' relationships. It is a much better book than the first of the series, Still Life.

So far this has been a great reading year.

I'm glad to hear you liked it, Sandy, as I am about to start it this week.

and I've started A World of Curiosities and I'm already in "can't put it down" mode.

I am re-reading Dissolution, this time on audio. The narrator, Steven Crossley, is excellent though there are too many male monk voices and I need the paper copy when I miss which is speaking. Great book.

I've also started Dissolution after picking up a beautiful paperback edition which I couldn't resist! Not very far in as yet but I already think I'm going to love this series.

that's wonderful, Judy, can't wait to hear what you think after finishing.

and I already finished A World of Curiosities because I could not put it down! even to sleep.

Sandy wrote: "I am re-reading Dissolution, this time on audio. The narrator, Steven Crossley, is excellent though there are too many male monk voices and I need the paper copy when I miss which is..."

Yes, I’m doing the audiobook with the hardcover from my library. So glad to be rereading this, I read all the books as they came out, then there was looong pause in the series (a GR friend told me author was ill?), and then he started it up again - but it’s interesting to see Matthew Shardlake just starting out, still a fervent Reformer in Cromwell’s camp. And this is where he meets Guy, the “Moorish Monk” as he calls himself.

Judy wrote: "I've also started Dissolution after picking up a beautiful paperback edition which I couldn't resist! Not very far in as yet but I already think I'm going to love this series."

I hope you enjoy it, and look forward to reading what you think.

I am now reading Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson. This is number 17 in the series. It was Robinson's death in October that reminded of the series I had neglected a few years ago.

Finished “Dissolution”, now reading Dressed for Death and An Oxford Tragedy.

I appreciated more than I enjoyed the recent edition of Japanese mystery The Mill House Murders it has some marvellously grisly undercurrents and it's carefully plotted but I found it hard to relate to the characters which made it difficult to connect to the novel overall.

Link to my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hey Mods, quick question - I saw Susan put up threads early (always appreciate the reminder!) for “Inquest”, our Country House challenge title, it says it’s the February title. I thought February was “Campus” and An Oxford Tragedy was the book? Please advise, so I can get my mystery reading ducks in order, thanks!

Hi Susan, thank you, good spot - just to confirm, An Oxford Tragedy is the February book, and Inquest is the March book.

Finished Friend of the Devil which I really liked, and made me more determined to get back to more of the series of books I started reading . Having said that I am now starting The Bullet That Missed which I had wanted to read last year

Judy wrote: "Hi Susan, thank you, good spot - just to confirm, An Oxford Tragedy is the February book, and Inquest is the March book."

Thanks Judy, I’m about half into An Oxford Tragedy, wanted to make sure!

I finished The Man Who Died Twice and A Change of Circumstance in the last few days. Both were very good in different ways.

Recently finished:
Something the Cat Dragged In by Charlotte MacLeod

Death on Demand by Carolyn G. Hart Lots of classic mysteries and authors referred to as the MC owns a mystery themed book store. I did figure out the identity of the killer in this one. It was still a fun listen with Kate Reading doing the audio book.

I thought I'll post this here, quite a few of us read the Bryant and May series and author Christopher Fowler's battle with cancer seems to be nearing the end. Here's his final blog post: http://www.christopherfowler.co.uk/bl...

Carolien wrote: "I thought I'll post this here, quite a few of us read the Bryant and May series and author Christopher Fowler's battle with cancer seems to be nearing the end. Here's his final blog p..."

Very sad. I am slowly working my way through The Book of Forgotten Authors, appreciating his humor, and am sure he will not be one of the forgotten authors.

How very sad. Hopefully his books will live on forever.

Carolien wrote: "I thought I'll post this here, quite a few of us read the Bryant and May series and author Christopher Fowler's battle with cancer seems to be nearing the end. Here's his final blog p..."

Oh, no! But yes, I have loved and read the series, knew he had cancer, didn’t know it was terminal. Very sad. Thanks for sharing, Carolien.

So sad. But I have a number of his books to look forward to. Thanks for the link.

Carolien wrote: "I thought I'll post this here, quite a few of us read the Bryant and May series and author Christopher Fowler's battle with cancer seems to be nearing the end. Here's his final blog p..."

Thank you so much for posting the link Carolien. What a shock to find out that he is so ill. So very sad. At least I was able to thank him on his final blog post for the many hours of pleasure his books gave me.

Have finished The Verdict of Twelve which I found interesting and now hoping for some fun with with Freddy in A Case of Duplicity in Dorset

Just started The Verdict of Twelve by Raymond W. Postgate.

I've gone back to Christopher Fowler's White Corridor.

I read Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man, set in New York in 1950. I found it a quick, fun read though a bit heavy handed in making sure the reader knows it is the 50's - lots of long dead brand names mentioned. Interesting characters and story, but I thought the plot had holes and got quite convoluted in the wrap-up.

Wanted an easy, breezy audiobook to knit to (have a project to finish), putting aside ‘Verdict of 12’ for our upcoming A Case of Duplicity in Dorset.

I'm re reading an Edmund Crispin, " The Moving Toyshop" . Its been many years since I read it , so no fear of already knowing the culprit..lol.
I have a few others coming via amazon ( I have so many in my own library but want to try some authors I've wanted to read for a while. )

MaryE wrote: "I'm re reading an Edmund Crispin, " The Moving Toyshop" . Its been many years since I read it , so no fear of already knowing the culprit..lol.
I have a few others coming via amazon ( I have so man..."

We are reading our way through the Fen books, so you will find our comments on Toyshop under buddy reads. The threads remain open so feel free to your thoughts.

Sandy wrote: "MaryE wrote: "I'm re reading an Edmund Crispin, " The Moving Toyshop" . Its been many years since I read it , so no fear of already knowing the culprit..lol.
I have a few others coming via amazon (..." oh good to know, I'll join in soon! thanks!

I've started reading the next book for our challenge, An Oxford Tragedy by J.C. Masterman - enjoying it so far. MaryE, great to hear you are enjoying Edmund Crispin.

I've also started An Oxford Tragedy. Very promising beginning with a likeable narrator, visiting amateur detective, interesting cast and a loaded gun left out on a table in a locked room. What could go wrong?

I am nearly half way through Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz, which I am enjoying, but thinking maybe no quite as good as some of the others by him.

I’m reading Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton!

I'm about 60% through An English Murder by Cyril Hare.

I am loving it - it is so sharp and doesn't pull any punches as it explores the dwindling upper classes in post-war Britain.